1/30/01 Job 32: 9 (NRSV) It is not the old that are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. 8 But truly, it is the Spirit in a mortal..... the breath of the Almighty -- that makes for understanding. Deuteronomy 29: 29 (KJV) The secret things belong unto the LORD our God; but those things which are revealed, belong unto us, and to our children, forever...

 

12/20/00 1 Samuel 3 (KJV) 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD; neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And Samuel arose, and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. 9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if He call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the LORD came; and stood and called, as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

11/12/00 Habakkuk 2: 1-3 (NEB): I will stand at my post. I will take up my position on the watch-tower. I will watch to learn what He will say through me -- and what I shall reply when I am challenged. Then the Lord made answer: "Write down the VISION. Inscribe it on tablets, made for a herald to carry with speed..... for there is still a VISION for the appointed time. At the DESTINED hour, it will come in breathless haste. It WILL NOT fail. If it delays -- WAIT for it.... for when it comes will be NO TIME to linger."

8/26/00 HOW GOD DEALS WITH THE ENEMIES OF HIS PEOPLE (Bible references copied from "Enemies of God, and enemies of God's people" (linked) Psalm 108: 12-13 (NEB) "Grant us help against the enemy, for deliverance by man is a vain hope. With God's help, we shall do valiantly; and God Himself will tread our enemies under foot." Luke 1: 71 (NEB) "So God promised, age after age, by the lips of the prophets, that He would deliver us from our enemies -- out of the hands of all who hate us." Psalm 44: 5 (NIV) Through you, we push back our enemies. Through your name, we trample our foes. 6 I do not trust in my bow; my sword does not bring me victory; 7 but you give us victory over our enemies.... you put our adversaries to shame. 2 Chronicles 20: (NEB) 15 (NEB) Have no fear; do not be dismayed by the great horde, for the battle is in God's hands, not yours. 17 It is not you who will fight this battle. Stand firm and wait, and you will see the deliverance worked by the Lord. He is on your side. Psalm 138: 7 (NEB) Though I walk among foes, thou dost preserve my life, exerting thy power against the rage of my enemies..... and wih thy right hand, thou savest me.

8/2/00

Psalm 118 (NIV) 4 Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever." 5 In my anguish, I cried to the LORD; and He answered -- by setting me free. 6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 7 The LORD is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to trust in princes.

Jeremiah 9: 23 (NIV) 7/30/00 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength, or the rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let him who boasts, boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth -- for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

7/28/00 Does God specifically design and create and "build" those human individuals who are to be His people? Note these Bible references on this subject ( copied from Individuation by God, see link). Romans 9: 20 (NRSV) But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, "Why have you made me like this?" 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use, and another for ordinary use? 22 What if God, desiring to show His wrath, and to make known His power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath, that are made for DESTRUCTION; 23 and what if He has done so in order to make known the riches of His glory for the objects of mercy, which He has PREPARED, beforehand, for glory..... 1 Corinthians 12: 5 (NRSV) .....there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities; but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To EACH is given the manifestation of the Spirit, for the common good......11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to EACH ONE, INDIVIDUALLY..... just as the Spirit chooses...... 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body -- EACH ONE of them, as HE chose. Matthew 12: 33 (NIV) (Jesus speaking) "Make a tree good, and its fruit will be good; or make a tree bad, and its fruit will be bad -- for a tree is recognized by its fruit..... 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him." Matthew 7: 18 (NIV) (Jesus speaking) Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 19 A good tree CANNOT bear bad fruit -- and a bad tree CANNOT bear good fruit. 1 Corinthians 7: 17 (RSV) Let everyone lead the life which the LORD has ASSIGNED to him -- and in which God has called him.

6/10/00 From "Guidance by God" (linked); from "The Doctor's Marvelous Medicine"..... by John N. Todd III

Isaiah 42: 16 (NRSV) (God speaking through Isaiah): I will lead the blind by a road they do not know..... I will guide them by paths they have not known. I will turn the darkness before them into light -- the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do..... and I will not forsake them.

James 2: 13 (NRSV) For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy. MERCY TRIUMPNS OVER JUDGMENT.

5/2/00

Psalm 20 (NRSV) 7 Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses; but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God. 8 They will collapse and fall -- but we shall rise, and stand upright.

5/1/00 God determines the duration of our existence..... and the boundaries of the places we will live.

Acts 17: 24 (NRSV) The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands; 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mortals life and breath -- and all things. 26 From one ancestor He made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and He allotted the times of their existence -- and the boundaries of the places where they would live.

4/20/00

Isaiah 55 (NRSV) 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways; and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

3/23/00 "Human wisdom" -- versus the "Doctrine of the Spirit"

1 Corinthians 2 (Douay-Rheims Translation)  4 My speech and my preaching were not in the persuasive words of human wisdom, but in showing of the Spirit and power; 5 That your faith might not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among the perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, neither of the princes of this world -- that come to nought; 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, a wisdom which is hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory; 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew; for if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: "That eye has not seen, nor ear heard; neither has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for them that love him." 10 But to us, God has revealed them, by His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things...... yes, the deep things of God. 11 What man knows the things of men, but the spirit of a man that is in him? So also, the things that are of God; no man knows -- but the Spirit of God (knows). 12 Now we have received not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit that is of God, that we may know the things that are given us from God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the learned words of human wisdom, but in the doctrine of the Spirit -- comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the sensual men perceives not these things that are of the Spirit of God; for it is foolishness to him; and he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined. 15 But the spiritual man judges all things; and he himself is judged by no man. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him ?

2/23/00 Amos 8: (NRSV) 11 The time is surely coming, says the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land -- not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water -- but of hearing the words of the LORD. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to-and-fro --- seeking the word of the LORD; but they shall not find it.

2/18/00

Daniel 4: 32 (NRSV) You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the KINGDOM of MORTALS -- and gives it to WHOM HE WILL.)

2/4/00

1 Corinthians 1: 18 (NRSV, combined with NIV) For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing; but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise -- and the intelligence of the intelligent, I will frustrate." 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God, through wisdom -- God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs, and Greeks desire wisdom; 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews, and "foolishness" to Gentiles. 24 But, to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. 26 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful -- not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world, to shame the wise -- God chose what is weak in the world, to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing, things that are; 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 He (God) is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption; 31 in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

8/19/99 "He gives wisdom to the wise"

A special reference -- for my wife, and me:  Daniel 2: 20 (NRSV) Daniel said: "Blessed be the name of God, from age to age -- for wisdom and power are His. 21 He changes times and seasons; deposes kings; and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise -- and knowledge to those who have understanding. 22 He REVEALS deep and hidden things. He knows what is in the darkness -- and light dwells with Him.

8/9/99

Biblical references, from the "tablet", "Jesus is God". (See link.)   1.) John 12: 44 (NRSV) Then Jesus cried aloud: "Whoever believes in me believes not in me, but in Him who sent me. 45 And, whoever sees me, sees Him who sent me. 2.) John 10: 30 (NRSV) Jesus speaking: "The Father and I are one." 3.) Mark 9: 37 (Jesus speaking): "Whoever receives me, receives not me, but the One who sent me." 4.) Co1ossians 1: 15 He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers -- all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He Himself is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in Him, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. 5.) John 14: 7 (NRSV) Jesus speaking to Philip: If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know Him, and have seen Him." 8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me, has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 6.) Mark 12: 29 (KJV) And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord...... 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but He. Same (NEB) 29 Jesus answered, The first is, "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is the only Lord"....... 32 The lawyer said to Him, "Well said, Master. You are right in saying that God is one, and beside Him, there is no other." 7.) Luke 19: 44 (NIV) Jesus speaking: They (your enemies) will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you. 8.) John 1: 18 (NRSV) No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made Him known. Same (NASV) No man has ever seen God, at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father; He has explained Him. (JNT note: I am fascinated by this translation referring to the Christ as "the only begotten God"; and the NRSV translation, shown above as "It is God the only Son who is close to the Father's heart.") 9.) Hebrews 1: 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory, and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. 10.) Colossians 2: 9 (NIV) For in Christ, all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. 11.) Philippians 2: 5 (NIV) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 12.) 2 Corinthians 4: 3 (NRSV) And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 13.) (MAJOR) Isaiah 9: 6 (KJV) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Same (NIV) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 14.) John 1: 1 (NRSV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

6-21-99 See verse 4: "Who are you to judge someone else's servant (God's servant)? To his own Master, he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." And 10: Why do you judge your brother?

Romans 14 (NIV) Romans 14: 1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not -- and the man who does not eat everything, must not condemn the man who does....... for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master, he stands or falls. And he will stand -- for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man considers one day more sacred than another. Another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced -- in his own mind. 6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord; for he gives thanks to God....... and he who abstains, does so to the Lord, and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself alone -- and none of us dies to himself alone. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord......... 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat....... 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way........ 17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking -- but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God, and approved by men. 19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace, and to mutual edification....... 22 So whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

6-15-99

Scriptures concerning God as the source of "evil" as well as "good" -- (that is, "bad" or "good", as we humans judge a happening or a circumstance to be) See link Good and evil from God Lamentations 3: 37 (NIV) Who can speak, and have it happen, if the Lord has not decreed it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? Isaiah 45: 7 (KJV) I form the light; and create darkness. I make peace -- and CREATE EVIL. I the LORD do all these things. Isaiah 30: 20 (NIV) Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way -- walk in it." Same 20 (NRSV) Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any more; but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 21 And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Ecclesiastes 7: 13 Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what He has made crooked? 14 When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one, as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future. Isaiah 54: 16 (NIV) "See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame, and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the DESTROYER to work havoc. 17 (But).... No weapon forged against you will prevail; and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD; and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. Deuteronomy 32: 39 (NIV) God speaking: "See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death; and I bring to life. I have wounded, and I will heal; and no one can deliver out of my hand. Lamentations 3: 27 It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth, 28 to sit alone in silence, when the Lord has IMPOSED it, 29 to put one's mouth to the dust ....... 30 to give one's cheek to the smiter -- and be filled with insults. 31 For the Lord will not reject forever. 32 Although He CAUSES grief, He will have compassion according to the abundance of His steadfast love; 33 (Jerusalem Bible): It is not for His own pleasure that He GRIEVES the human race.

5/19/99

2 Corinthians 12 (NIV) ( 5 I will boast about a man like that; but I will not boast about myself -- except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool -- because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do, or say. ) 7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh (a messenger of Satan) to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you -- for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses -- so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties -- for when I am weak, then I am strong.

5/18/99

Amos 5 (NRSV) 21 I hate -- I despise your festivals; and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. 23 Take away from me the noise of your songs. I will not listen to the melody of your harps. 24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

4-17-99 Compare with: John 8: 31 (NRSV) Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth -- and the truth will MAKE you FREE."

Romans 8 (NRSV) 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the Law of the Spirit of life, in Christ Jesus, has SET YOU FREE from the Law of sin, and of death. 3 For God has done what the Law, weakened by the flesh, could not do -- by sending His own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh....... and to deal with sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death -- but to set the mind on the Spirit is life, and peace. 7 For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's Law -- indeed it cannot. 8 And those who are in the flesh, cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit -- since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin -- the Spirit is life, because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of Him (GOD) who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies, also, through His Spirit that dwells in you. 12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh -- to live according to the flesh -- 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are LED by the Spirit of God are children of God.

4/13/99

Psalm 139 (NRSV) 13 For it was you who formed my inward parts. You knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works, that I know very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you -- when I was being made in secret -- intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me -- when none of them as yet existed.

3/31/99

John 3 (NRSV) 3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, NO ONE can see the Kingdom of God without being born from above." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb, and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, NO ONE can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water, and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh -- and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from -- or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

3/15/99 JNT note: a splendid and beautiful reference !

Psalm 22: 8 (NRSV) "Commit your cause to the LORD -- let Him deliver. Let Him rescue the one in whom He delights!" 9 Yet it was you who took me from the womb. You kept me safe, on my mother's breast. 10 On you I was cast from my birth -- and since my mother bore me, you have been my God. 11 Do not be far from me -- for trouble is near; and there is no one to help.

3/14/99

Isaiah 32: 8 (NEB) "The man of noble mind forms noble designs -- and stands firm in his nobility."

3/8/99   It is SPIRIT that gives birth to SPIRIT

SPIRIT GIVES BIRTH TO SPIRIT Galatians 3: 2 (NIV) (MAJOR POINT) I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the Law -- or by BELIEVING what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? John 3: 5 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water, and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh -- but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. Acts 19: 2 (NIV) And Paul asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "NO -- we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 1 Corinthians 15: 48 and 50 (NIV) As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the Man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 50 I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot INHERIT the Kingdom of God -- nor does the perishable (flesh) inherit the imperishable (Spirit).

3/4/99

Mark 12: 28 (NIV) Of all the commandments, which is the most important? 29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." 32 "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one -- and there is NO OTHER but Him. Ephesians 4: 5 (NIV) One Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all -- who is over all, and through all -- and in all.

3/3/99

1 Corinthians 12: 3 (NIV) Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed;" and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts -- but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working; but the same God works all of them, in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given -- for the common good.

2/13/99 (Copied from "Enemies of God" -- see link) This scripture makes me think of some of today's "prominent" individuals -- who always seem to "get-away-with" various malfeasances -- as if they are strangely "protected". Frequently, I have to remind myself -- "If God is for us -- who can be against us." We humans frequently do not see things (and people) -- as God does. We often have difficulty in deciphering God's plans.

Isaiah 54: (NRSV) 14 (NRSV) In righteousness, you shall be established. You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear -- and from terror, for it shall not come near you. If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me. Whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall -- because of you. 16 See, it is I who have created the smith who blows the fire of coals, and produces a weapon fit for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy. 17 No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper -- and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD -- and their vindication is from me, says the LORD.

Isaiah 54: (NIV) 14 In righteousness you will be established. Tyranny will be far from you; and you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. 15 If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing. Whoever attacks you, will surrender to you. 16 "See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame, and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc. 17 (But).... No weapon forged against you will prevail; and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD; and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.

2/11/99; 4/10/04 A lovely prayer, from David -- expressing what all of us humans frequently feel, and hope

Psalm 28 (NRSV) Of David. 1 To you, O LORD, I call -- my rock. Do not refuse to hear me, for if you are silent to me, I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. 2 Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to you for help -- as I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. 3 Do not drag me away with the wicked -- with those who are workers of evil -- who speak peace with their neighbors, while mischief is in their hearts. 4 Repay them according to their work, and according to the evil of their deeds. Repay them according to the work of their hands. Render them their due reward. 5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, or the work of His hands..... He will break them down, and build them up no more. 6 Blessed be the LORD, for He has heard the sound of my pleadings. 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield -- in Him my heart TRUSTS; so I am helped -- and my heart exults -- and with my song I give thanks to Him. 8 The LORD is the strength of His people -- He is the saving refuge of HIS ANOINTED. 9 O save your people, and bless your heritage. Be their shepherd -- and carry them -- forever.